Electrical heaters for refrigerators

ABSTRACT

Structure for controlling moisture collection on an insulated wall, such as a divider wall, in a refrigeration apparatus. The moisture controlling device includes an elongated socket which is adapted to be inserted into the insulation material of the wall with the tip of the device being tapered for facilitated penetration. The socket defines an outer open end through which electrical connections to a heater within the socket are brought. In the application of the device to a divider wall type refrigeration cabinet, the socket may be inserted from an edge of the divider wall to dispose the tip portion adjacent a through passage in the divider wall such as provided for circulating refrigerated air between the compartments on opposite sides thereof.

United States Patent Barton et al.

1451 July 22,1975

[54] fi gggifig f FOR FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 148,997 3/1955Sweden 62/273 [75] Inventors: Ralph D. Barton; William J.

Buchser, both Of Evansville, Ind. Primary wm J Wye [73] Assignee:Whirlpool Corporation, Benton f l Agent, F g Stellman, MCCOfd,

l-larbor, Mich. Wfles & Wood [22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1974 ABSTRACT [21]Appl' 507432 Structure for controlling moisture collection on aninsulated wall, such as a divider wall, in a refrigeration [52] US. Cl.62/273; 62/275; 219/534; apparatus. The moisture controlling deviceincludes 219/239 an elongated socket which is adapted to be inserted I[51] Int. Cl. F25d 23/06 into the insulation material of the wall withthe tip of [58] Field of Search 62/273, 275; 219/534, 538, the devicebeing tapered for facilitated penetration.

- 219/335, 336 The socket defines an outer open end through whichelectrical connections to a heater within the socket [561 ReferencesCited are brought. In the application of the device to a di- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS vider wall type refrigeration cabinet, the socket may1,312,270 8/1919 Russell 219/239 be mierted f edge Ofthe r wan f"2,604,760 7/1952 SOLlthem.... 62/275 F t1P P l n a ng passage i the di-2 987 601 6,196] Levin 62/275 vlder wall such as provided forclrculatlng refrlgerated 3:003:O48 10/1961 S6011 219/473 i between thecompartments pp Sides 3,042,780 7/1962 Gursahaney 219/487 thereof-3,349,22O 10/1967 Kinney 62/275 3,813,896 6/1974 Lebahn 62/275 11 Glam,5 Drawmg F'gures E; O 11---1 9 j /z 115/ 1 jg a: V k/ PATENTEDJUL22 msIll/ll ELECTRICAL HEATERS FOR REFRIGERATORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION7 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to moisture controldevices and in particular to devices for controlling moisturecondensation on refrigeration apparatus walls.

2. Description of the Prior Art Electrical heaters have been developedfor controlling condensation of moisture on the cabinet surfaces ofrefrigeration apparatuses. One such heater is illustrated in U.S. Pat.No. 3,254,503 of William G. Rundell. The heater therein comprises aheater wire 52 received in a molding track secured to the wall of thecabinet by suitable means. The heater is specifically adapted to preventfreezing of condensation between the sealing gasket of the door and theadjacent surface of the cabinet.

The present invention comprehends utilizing a heater which is in theform of a probe adapted to be inserted into the insulation of aninsulative wall of such a refrigeration apparatus. A number of differentprobe-like heaters have been developed over the years. Thus, as shown inU.S. Pat. No. 1,312,270 of Percy Russell, a dental implement is providedwith a sharp tip portion, or needle, with a handle portion carrying theneedle and provided internally with an electric heater. In U.S. Pat. No.3,003,048 of George A. Scott, a meat thermometer is provided whichutilizes a combined meat probe and heater element adapted to be insertedinto food to be cooked. The probe includes a handle portion forfacilitating the insertion of the tip and body of the probe into themeat or other food product to be controlled.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,042,780 of Kishin .l. Gursahaney, a lead-in conductorarrangement is provided wherein the electrical conductors are enclosedin a metal sheath and spacing means which extends through a spacebetween the surface of the foam and an inner panel of the insulatedcabinet wall.

It is further conventional in refrigeration apparatuses wherein adivider wall is provided between a freezer compartment and anabove-freezing refrigerated compartment in a common cabinet, to providean air flow passage between the freezer and refrigerator chambers.Moisture in the relatively high humidity refrigerator compartment airunder certain conditions tends to collect in the form of frost at such athrough passage, thereby reducing the efficiency of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improvedmeans for controlling moisture collection on a wall surface, and morespecifically, on a wall surface of a refrigeration apparatus such as thedivider wall therein. The moisture controlling means herein comprises anelongated socket element adapted to be inserted into the insulation ofthe apparatus wall by means of a tapered tip. A heater is providedwithin the socket element and is electrically energized by electricalconnection means extending through an outer open end of the socketmeans. The socket means is installed in the divider wall with the outerend opening to exteriorly of the wall for facilitates servicing.

The socket may be installed in the divider wall closely adjacent theinner surface of the liner for maximum heat transfer efficiency tomoisture collecting on the outer surface. The socket has a lengthpreselected to permit disposition of the tip closely adjacent thethrough passage of the divider wall to provide improved heating of thewall and wall surfaces closely adjacent the through passage.

The socket element may be formed of a rigid, thin wall material, such assheet metal. The open end of the socket may be outwardly flared forfacilitated installation of the heater and for effecting desirablelimitation on the insertion of the socket element into the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a refrigeration apparatus having amoisture controlling means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a diametric section of the moisture controlling means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in the drawing, an apparatus generallydesignated 10 is provided with a moisture controlling device generallydesignated 11 for controlling moisture collection on a portion of thecabinet 12. In the illustrative embodiment, apparatus 10 comprises arefrigeration apparatus wherein the cabinet is provided with a centraldividing wall 13 defining within the cabinet an above freezingtemperature refrigerator space 14 and a freezer space 15 at oppositesides of the divider wall. The cabinet may be provided with conventionaldoors l6 and 17 for selectively closing the refrigerator and freezerspaces, respectively.

As discussed briefly above, in such side-by-side refrigerationapparatuses, air flow is permitted between the chambers 14 and 15 bymeans of through passages in the divider wall, such as lower throughpassage 18 and upper through passage 19. A problem of condensation andfreezing of moisture from the relatively moist refrigerator compartmentair occasionally arises in such apparatuses during use under unusualconditions, and the present invention is directed to the provision of animproved heater means foreffectively precluding such undesirablemoisture and frost collection. The heater means structure of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a tubular socket element 20having a sharp tapered tip 21 at its inned end and an outwardly flaredopen outer end. 22. A U-shaped electrical heater 23 is provided withinthe socket and includes connector means 24 at the outer end 22 forconnecting the heater to a suitable power source for electricalenergization thereof.

The length of the socket element 20 is preselected to permit thedisposition of the tip 21 closely adjacent the through openings 18 and19 in the divider wall, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 2, respectively.As shown in FIG. 2, the device 11 may be inserted into the divider wall13 through the top edge 25 of the divider wall 13 to dispose the tip 21closely adjacent the upper passage 19. As shown in FIG. 3, a similardevice 11 may be inserted through the rear edge 26 of the divider wall13 to dispose the tip 21 thereof closely adjacent the lower passage 18.As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the device 11 may be inserted into theinsulation 27 closely adjacent the liner 28 of the divider wall 13 so asto be in substantially direct thermal transfer association with theliner for improved heating of the outer surface adjacent the throughpassage for effectively maximum control of the moisture collectionthereat and thereby effectively minimizing frosting problems. In thecase of existing refrigerator cabinet constructions divider wall 13 ispartially or entirely removed from the cabinet 12 to facilitateinstallation of socket element 20. While the divider wall 13 isdisplaced, the refrigerator wiring harness is accessible for connectionof heater 23 thereto.

The sharp metal tip facilitates insertion of the socket element into theinsulation so that the device 11 may be inserted at any time such as inexisting cabinet constructions. The length of the socket element may bevaried for coordination with the desired wattage rating of the heater 23as the tip 21 may be juxtaposed to the openings by this positioning ofthe device in the insulation notwithstanding a wide variation in thelength thereof.

The socket element is preferably formed of a heat conductive material,such as metal, and in the illustrated embodiment, is formed of sheetmetal. The socket element is sufficiently strong to provide an enclosurefor the heater and provides an increased area of heat transfer formaximizing the heat transfer to the liner surface.

The facilitated insertion of the device 11 permits its use not only byservicemen, but by the user of the refrigerator and, thus, may beprovided as a do-it-yourself device for eliminating undesirableexcessive moisture conditions therein.

Further, as the outer end of the socket element is open, the heater maybe replaced as for servicing or for substitution of a different wattageheater, as desired. The heater is installed in the socket with a U-bendso as to provide a frictional retention without requiring furthersecuring devices.

The flare 22 further serves as means for facilitating the insertion ofthe socket element in providing an enlarged manipulating portion at theouter end thereof.

The heater may be wired to the refrigerator wiring harness in parallelwith existing heaters in the refrigeration apparatus such as the stileheaters thereof.

The rigid socket element and sharp tip permit the insertion of theheater into relatively rigid insulation materials, such asfoamed-in-place insulation, as well as softer insulation, such asfiberglass insulation.

As the heater extends the length of the socket element, the heatdissipation to the liner is spread out over a relatively large area aswell as closely adjacent the fiow passage so as to provide furtherimproved moisture collection elimination in the refrigerator cabinet. Bypermitting the installation of the device after the cabinet constructionis completed, improved accurate positioning thereof is facilitated-Thedevice is relatively small in cross section, as best seen in FIG. 4, sothat minimum force and operation of the insulation material is required.

The socket element may be removed if desired. Alternatively, the socketelement may be retained in the cabinet wall with the heater removedtherefrom.

Thus, the invention comprehends an improved moisture control means whichis extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providingthe highly desirable features discussed above.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention inwhich an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined asfollows:

1. In an apparatus having an insulative wall. means for controllingmoisture collection in the wall comprising:

an elongated socket element formed of a thermally conductive materialhaving a tapered tip inserted into a preselected portion of said wallhaving a surface on which moisture collection is to be controlled, andan outer end opening to exteriorly of said wall;

an electric heater element received in said socket element; and

means at said outer socket end for electrically connecting the heater toa power source for heating said preselected wall portion wherebymoisture collection on said surface at said preselected portion iseffectively controlled.

2. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heaterelement is U-shaped.

3. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tip issharply pointed for facilitated inser-' tion into said wall.

4. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said insulativewall defines a body of foamedin-place insulation and said tip is adaptedto piercingly penetrate said insulation.

5. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said socketelement is formed of rigid thin wall material.

6. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said socketelement is formed of metal.

7. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said open endof the socket element is outwardly flared.

8. In a refrigeration apparatus having a cabinet provided with aninsulative material dividing wall having an outer liner and an innerinsulation, means for controlling moisture collection on the linercomprising:

an elongated socket element formed of a thermally conductive materialhaving a tapered tip inserted into a preselected portion of said dividerwall insulation, and an outer open end opening outwardly to exteriorlyof the wall;

an electric heater element received in said socket element; and

means at said outer socket end for electrically connecting the heater toa power source for heating said preselected wall portion wherebymoisture collection on said liner at said preselected portion iseffectively controlled.

9. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 wherein said divider wall isprovided with a through passage and said socket element tip is disposedadjacent said through passage.

10. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 wherein 11. The refrigerationapparatus of claim 8 wherein said socket element extends through therear of said disaid socket element extends downwardly through the vidingwall forwardly into said dividing wall closely adtop of said dividingwall into the dividing wall.

jacent said liner.

1. In an apparatus having an insulative wall, means for controllingmoisture collection in the wall comprising: an elongated socket elementformed of a thermally conductive material having a tapered tip insertedinto a preselected portion of said wall having a surface on whichmoisture collection is to be controlled, and an outer end opening toexteriorly of said wall; an electric heater element received in saidsocket element; and means at said outer socket end for electricallyconnecting the heater to a power source for heating said preselectedwall portion whereby moisture collection on said surface at saidpreselected portion is effectively controlled.
 2. The moisturecontrolling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heater element isU-shaped.
 3. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidtip is sharply pointed for facilitated insertion into said wall.
 4. Themoisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said insulative walldefines a body of foamed-in-place insulation and said tip is adapted topiercingly penetrate said insulation.
 5. The moisture controllingapparatus of claim 1 wherein said socket element is formed of rigid thinwall material.
 6. The moisture controlling apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid socket element is formed of metal.
 7. The moisture controllingapparatus of claim 1 wherein said open end of the socket element isoutwardly flared.
 8. In a refrigeration apparatus having a cabinetprovided with an insulative material dividing wall having an outer linerand an inner insulation, means for controlling moisture collection onthe liner comprising: an elongated socket element formed of a thermallyconductive material having a tapered tip inserted into a preselectedportion of said divider wall insulation, and an outer open end openingoutwardly to exteriorly of the wall; an electric heater element receivedin said socket element; and means at said outer socket end forelectrically connecting the heater to a power source for heating saidpreselected wall portion whereby moisture collection on said liner atsaid preselected portion is effectively controlled.
 9. The refrigerationapparatus of claim 8 wherein said divider wall is provided with athrough passage and said socket element tip is disposed adjacent saidthrough passage.
 10. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 wherein saidsocket element extends through the rear of said dividing wall forwardlyinto said dividing wall closely adjacent said liner.
 11. Therefrigeration apparatus of claim 8 wherein said socket element extendsdownwardly through the top of said dividing wall into the dividing wall.